Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t hesitate when he named the two footballers he idolized growing up.
The Portuguese has always been compared to old rival Lionel Messi, with both completely changing the game of football with their remarkable achievements.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner and all-time top scorer, Ronaldo has served as an inspiration to a generation of footballers – including Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Endrick, Bukayo Saka and Alejandro Garnacho.
But the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar also had two idols he looked up to. The 39-year-old has admitted he grew up watching Brazilian greats Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and won three Ballon d’Ors.
“I don’t like comparisons,” said Ronaldo, speaking to ESPN Brasil. “I prefer to say that both (Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho Gaucho) left their legacy, their history.”
“I can say, with facts, that I have won more individual titles than them, but they both won World Cups.”
“I sympathize with them a lot. I grew up watching them both play. To say who is the best, who is second, is not the most important thing,” added Ronaldo. /Football Match Up/
